The RANDARRAY function

Excel has three different functions that enable you to generate random numbers. Let’s look at the two longstanding options, and then we’ll look at RANDARRAY. The =RAND() formula in cell B2 of Figure 10.25 generates a random number between 0 and 1:

Figure 10.25 – The RAND and RANDBETWEEN functions

The =RANDBETWEEN(100,500) formula in cell D2 of Figure 10.25 allows you to generate random integers between 100 and 500. RANDBETWEEN has two arguments:

• Bottom – The lowest possible integer you want to return, which, in this case, is 100
• Top – The highest possible integer you want to return, which, in this case, is 500

Nuance

All random number functions in Excel are volatile, meaning that, unlike most formulas, they recalculate every time you change any cell anywhere in the workbook. Normally, Excel only recalculates formulas when you change a value that the formula directly or indirectly...